Toxicity in the workplace - trigger warning… you might not be ready to hear this..
Author : Kirstey Jane - Human Behaviour & Relationship Strategist
I’m going to bet that the moment you read the title of this article, you either smirked or felt a pit in your stomach as you could instantly relate to a situation at work!
That’s why you are here and still reading…maybe hoping for some empathy, wisdom or insight that might lessen the dread that you carry when you wake up each morning and think about your work day.
So let’s get to the point. If it’s ok with you I’d like to share openly and honestly about a few things that might just challenge and shift your thinking to get you to a place where you can get your power back. My intention is always to try and leave you better than I found you.
If the words you are about to read seem provocative and make you feel uncomfortable, I invite you to ask yourself why that might be and just notice that you are having a reaction. Is it what I’m saying? Is it the language I am using? My tonality? Or is it your perceived beliefs about me, given how little you know? Maybe what you are reading is reminding you of someone or something else in the past that has made you uncomfortable… Maybe it is mirroring something you don’t like about yourself….…
I just ask that you simply notice. Notice your own reaction. No one is judging or critiquing you right now but just notice…how YOU judge, get irritated or don’t feel at peace. Maybe you don’t want to read this anymore. Notice why you want to read on…what are you seeking here?
I genuinely believe that in 99% of cases people started out life with good intentions. The only reason they become dysfunctional is because of their circumstances and their unwillingness to see their part (and power) in those moments, that they can change at any given time.
Every person wants to feel seen, heard, accepted, appreciated, loved and respected. Even the a**holes. That’s why the a**holes are bitter and difficult! They don’t know how to get these feelings through other people, let alone themselves. They feel constantly let down.
Every person is reacting in every moment. We are receivers trying to tune into a frequency that makes us happy. If we can get control of how WE react, then it puts a stop to the toxic cycle.
Let’s look at the Merriam-Webster definition of ‘toxic’ as pertaining to people:
‘Extremely harsh, malicious or harmful’
We can all understand and relate to this.
However, here’s the thing.
It is far too easy in today’s society to be upset, offended or triggered by something we experience and then assign total blame to the offending party. We then rally others to agree with us and petition for a rule to control everyone ‘out there’. We would rather create division and separation instead of unity. We enable a victim culture instead of helping people become more of themselves so they can overcome their fears. We don’t encourage them to seek to understand those who are stuck in their negative stories and behaviours. We refuse to bravely look in the mirror and notice how we
are reacting
…which in turn can now create another toxic cycle…
Toxic situations are comprised of two elements. An action
and a reaction
.
Which element are you partaking in?
You have to be part of one of these elements in order for you to be experiencing any toxicity at all. If you are not present to the situation or engaging in it, you will not experience it.
Whenever you are upset by something, notice how you are always there!!
Some of you will be feeling defensive right now.
“Are you saying this is MY fault???” “How can it be MY fault that THEY are behaving so badly and are being SO mean to me?”
When you can admit which element of the situation you are engaging in, then you can take back control of THAT part and start to eliminate toxicity in your life anywhere, with any one.
A person can walk around being as mean as they can be, but if there is no one else to react to it then they are just a mean person walking around stuck in their own story.
People are always going to people. A**holes will a**hole. Idiots will idiot.
There is NOTHING you can do about other people. Let them be.
You have no control over any one but yourself.
Your power is in deciding how you will REACT to them. When you change how you react, other people will change how they react to you.
Action (them) ——— Reaction (yours) ———Reaction (theirs)
This is human nature. If your reaction is emotional and unstable, you can bet their reaction will be more emotional and unstable.
If you can’t envisage this at work, imagine your interactions with your family, partner or children. It’s all the same. It’s human nature.
Taking accountability for ourselves is one of the hardest and scariest things to do. It also gives us the most power.
Author Bio
Kirstey Jane is a creative professional with a passion for people!
Her experience is vast. She has a 17 year career span in Learning & Development and Recruitment Management in the UK and Canada working with rapid growth start ups and legacy corporations alike.
She founded SuperCorporatePeople, a professional photography business 21 years ago and now writes, speaks and runs workshops on relationships and communication in the workplace and at home, through KirsteyJane.com
If you would like to learn more about how to do this and learn 3 simple, but very powerful tools to transform your relationships, then please sign up the free workshop I will be running on July 11th 2024, details can be found here.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
As we close out 2025, I’m feeling genuinely proud of what CPHR Alberta has accomplished this year, and grateful for the members, volunteers, partners, and staff who made it possible. Together, we’ve continued to strengthen the value of the CPHR designation, expanded professional development opportunities, and deepened relationships with government, post-secondary institutions, and business leaders. This year also brought some milestones worth celebrating. We’re ending 2025 in a financially stable position, and our membership grew by 7% , which is a nice reminder that the HR community is thriving, and that we are still the kind of people others willingly choose to join. One of the most important pieces of work this year was launching our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. This roadmap was shaped by member input, market research, and alignment with CPHR Canada’s national priorities. It’s the product of a truly collaborative process led by our Board and operations team, forward-looking, grounded in data, and practical in how it positions us for what’s next. At its core, the plan strengthens the HR profession and supports the people who drive it, reinforcing our commitment to a resilient and inclusive HR community. I encourage you to read it and see where we’re headed. View the Strategic Plan here. Our pursuit of self-regulation remains a priority, and our advocacy efforts this year continued to deepen relationships with government and position HR as a trusted profession. We’re making progress, ensuring HR’s voice is present in key policy conversations and recognized where it matters most. If nothing else, we are getting very good at showing up, staying thoughtful, and keeping the conversation moving forward. To build on this momentum, we’re currently recruiting two Chartered Members and up to one Public Members to join our Board. We’re looking for candidates with prior governance experience and strengths in areas such as strategic business leadership, financial management, legal expertise, or IDEA. It’s also important to us to have meaningful geographic representation from outside Calgary and Edmonton, because Alberta is bigger than two postal codes, and our Board should reflect that. You can learn more about the process and requirements through our blog , and I’d encourage you to apply or share the opportunity with someone who’d be a great fit. Applications close January 9, 2026. Chartered and Retired Members: Apply through your member portal Public Members: Contact Heather McMaster at hmcmaster@cphrab.ca for application details As the holiday season approaches, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve contributed this year, professionally and personally. Thank you for everything you do to advance the HR profession. I’m confident that, together, we’ll continue building something even stronger in 2026. And if your out-of-office message is already drafted, I respect the efficiency. Geordie MacPherson, CEC, CPHR, SHRM-SCP Chair, Board of Directors, CPHR Alberta
As we close out 2025, I am proud to reflect on the incredible work our association has accomplished this year. With the support of CPHR Canada, we continue to strengthen a national network of over 33,000 HR practitioners and professionals, including more than 7,300 in Alberta. Our collaboration with provincial counterparts, post-secondary institutions, local chambers, and government partners remains central to promoting the value of hiring a designated professional and advancing consistent standards across Canada. This year, CPHR Alberta grew by 7%, with the majority of new members coming from students and emerging HR professionals—the future of our profession. Thank you to all our members for the work you do every day to elevate the profession. Operationally, 2025 was a year of engagement and impact. We hosted 76 events across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, welcoming over 6,300 attendees to workshops, roundtables, webinars, and community sessions. Complimentary events played a key role in sustaining access to learning and connection for our members. Our Annual Conference was a highlight, bringing together a sold-out audience, a fully booked exhibitor space, and earning strong satisfaction ratings with 77% of attendees rating their experience positively. Thoughtful planning is already underway for our 2026 Conference on June 2 and 3 at the BMO Centre in Calgary, where expanded attendee capacity, increased exhibitor space, and enhanced programming will elevate the experience for HR professionals across our jurisdiction. Through our marketing campaign, we focused on raising awareness of the strategic value a CPHR brings to organizations. The results speak for themselves with 10% of new members joined after seeing our campaign, and website traffic increased by 17%, averaging over 55,000 views per month. In 2025, CPHR Alberta navigated Ministry changes, new mandate letters, and changes to professional governance. The Professional Governance Act (PGA) was introduced in the Spring of 2025 and received royal assent in May. This was a long-awaited and important step forward. CPHR Alberta operations and the Board are at work reviewing the legislation and anticipating the incoming regulations. We have continued our focus in broader advocacy and engagement to promote the profession as a leading voice, valued partner and knowledge expert. Throughout the year, we deepened our existing relationships, built new ones, and partnered on impactful projects at various levels of government and with community partners. We look forward to continuing to highlight the significance and impact of the profession within our organizations and communities throughout 2026. Looking ahead, we are excited to implement our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan , continue rolling out our new member recognition program, and shine a spotlight on our incredible HR community at our Member Recognition Gala in April. We will also advance our work toward self-regulation, ensuring the HR profession is recognized and trusted for its impact on organizations and communities. I want to thank our incredible team at CPHR Alberta and the many volunteers who make our work possible. Your dedication ensures we deliver value to our members and advance the HR profession every day. Thank you also to our Board of Directors for their guidance and leadership throughout the year. As the holiday season approaches, I wish you joy, rest, and time to celebrate your accomplishments. Together, we are shaping the future of HR—and I look forward to all we will achieve in 2026. Ioana Giurca, CEO, CPHR Alberta
As the governing voice of CPHR Alberta, the Board of Directors meets quarterly to provide oversight and guidance in several key areas. The Board, alongside CPHR Alberta operations, continues to deliver on the association's strategic priorities developed in the 2020 strategic plan. To ensure transparency between our Board of Directors, members and key stakeholders, we are sharing post-meeting messages to inform the steps taken towards advancing our profession and ensuring a financially stable association. The Board of Directors met on November 27, 2025, and is proud to share the strong momentum we are experiencing across our community. The Board’s key messages are as follows: Membership Growth As of September 30, 2025, we reached 7,213 active members, a 7% year-over-year increase, with the majority coming from student and emerging HR professionals. This growth affirms the momentum of our HR profession and the impact of our student engagement initiatives. Professional Development Member participation remains strong with 53 events held year-to-date, with 5,013 attendees across workshops, roundtables, webinars, and community sessions. Our complimentary events have played a key role in sustaining engagement and access to learning. Annual Conference The Annual Conference was a heavy focus for the association in Q3. The sold-out event continues to bring together our community for valuable professional development and networking opportunities, creating a strong foundation for 2026. Attendees reported high satisfaction, with over 370 in attendance, and a sold-out exhibitor hall. “The CPHR conference was incredibly educational and inspiring. The speakers motivated me, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. I really enjoyed it, grew closer to my team, and I definitely want to attend again.” – 2025 Conference Attendee The 2026 event will be held at the BMO Centre, in Calgary on June 2 and 3 – with increased capacity, expanded exhibitor space, and enhanced programming will elevate the experience for all HR professionals across Alberta, NWT and Nunavut. Self-Regulation The Board continues to assess the implications of Alberta’s Professional Governance Act (PGA), including: Advocacy, legal, and governance impact assessments are being commissioned. Preliminary recommendations from management will be brought to the Board in March and June 2026, leading to a formal decision. Further information will be shared, when ready. Future Vision Approved: 2026-2028 Strategic Plan Our new 2026–2028 Strategic Plan will be rolled out in December to all members. The 3-year Strategic Plan, crafted from member feedback, market research, and collaboration with CPHR Canada – aims to strengthen our profession’s influence, amplifies leadership, and creates pathways for all members to thrive. Fiscal Responsibility Our Q3 financial review remains on track for a balanced year-end forecast. The 2026 draft budget has been approved – aligning resources with our strategic priorities while maintaining a disciplined and responsible financial approach. Board Governance Our board continues to focus on good governance practice, ensure stability, clarity, and accountability across our organization. FCPHR Nominations A reminder that the prestigious Fellowship Award is open for nominations! This national program recognizes Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHRs) who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession. Recipients are granted recognition as a Fellow of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (FCPHR). Click here to learn more about the Fellowship Award, including the guidelines and completing your nomination. You can also download a copy of the nomination form here. The next Board meeting takes place in March 2026, after which we will again share our key messages. If you have any questions regarding these key messages or the Board of Directors, please contact chair@cphrab.ca . We welcome your feedback!
